Journalist are underperforming in unraveling corruption in Nigeria- Ex
Media Trust Executive Officer Dan Ali
A former Chief Executive Officer, Media Trust Abuja, Mallam Mannir Dan Ali has cried out over the failure of Nigerian journalist to put in more effort to unravel corrupt practices across all sectors in the country.
Dan Ali disclosed this on Saturday in Abuja, at the opening ceremony of a three day conference on the ‘rudiments of investigative journalism for journalists using local languages’ organized by Wadata Media and Advocacy Center, (WAMAC), with support from MacArthur foundation.
The media guru who had worked with prominent media organizations within and outside the country lamented that Nigeria journalist are not doing enough to hold people in power accountable.
” We are getting lazy everyday. we are not questioning the right authorities. What we see now is press releases which is not suppose to be so. We are not checking the press releases yesterday to enable us see the contradictions”. the media guru lamented.
He said journalist is part of the mess Nigeria as a nation is facing currently, adding that, Nigeria journalist only focus on the ceremonies of the prominent individuals instead of maintaining the tenet of the noble profession.
He urged journalists to be determined and not be deterred by the obstacles they faced while investigating corrupt practices in the country.
While acknowledging that investigative journalism is dangerous, he emphasized that journalist must sit up, look critically on issues and ensure that they unravel corrupt practices irrespective of who would be affected at the end of the day.
He particularly mentioned the current happenings in the South East as he said the media had not learnt from lessons from the scourge of Boko Haram.
” They are hiding under the guise of unknown gunmen instead of them to come out and say who are behind the killings and hostilities in the south. This is how Boko Haram started before it becomes uncontrollable. Our duty is to speak out. We can do our story without endangering our lives”.
Earlier, the Program Manager of WAMAC, Zubair Idris while speaking on the “On Nigeria project”, said the attention of the organization is to focus on the soul of journalism and crime reporting from the eyes of a practitioner.
He said the all Nigeria project 2.0 is also aimed at reducing corruption by supporting Nigeria led efforts at strengthening transparency, accountability and participation.
According to him, the project has four major groups namely, joinbodi, media and journalism, criminal justice and behavioral change.
” On Nigeria 2.0, under Media and Journalism, (MAJ), cohorts which WAMAC belongs, is an opportunity for aspiring investigative journalist to have greater access to information through open data or invocation of freedom of Information Act, (FOI) as well as investigate report to discover abnormality on the system or individuals”he said.
He added that Journalists are to research and set goals for behavioral change in which individuals see target potential of holding actors accountable.
He recalled that the Covid-19 pandemic experience had further exposed the animalistic behavior of some individuals which include rape, killing, and maltreatment of thief fellow human being.
On why there is need to embark on investigative journalism in broadcasting, Idris averred further that a broadcast journalist has multi facet approach on investigative journalism for production just as he listed independent investigation approach, petition from a whistle blower, exposing corrupt act and amplifying investigation through collaboration.
“As Journalists and Media Advisers, you are obliged to ensure proper research or investigation on any proposed topic that will yield the result in the fight against corruption”.
Also speaking, the Program Coordinator, (WAMAC) Uwais Idris said corruption is one of the greatest challenge bedevilling the progress of the country.
He said corruption is not about stealing money alone but it also extend to other vices such as a moral corruption, social, corporate wrong doings and many more.
Idris explained that no religion in Nigeria encourages corruption.